Posts Tagged ‘Sex in the News’

171 figures placed on the steps of Dartmouth Hall, to represent 171 known survivors of sexual assault at Dartmouth. The year “1972,” written in snow, is the year the College became co-ed. From wakeupdartmouth.blogspot.com.

V-Week 2012 was one of the biggest and most extensively planned blocks of discussing sexual violence and female sexual empowerment in Dartmouth’s memory. Events included comedian Cindy Pierce, a panel on ‘Vagina Monologues Controversies’ and ‘V-Men: Sex, Drugs, Responsibility and Masculinity at Dartmouth and Beyond.’ As always, the ever expanding V-Week culminated in the “Vagina Monologues,” which this year had a cast of 60 and was directed by Mia Jessup ‘12.

Love Match fever raged at Dartmouth, with 1154 students filling out the survey designed to pair them with their perfect mate. The survey was, for many, less than ideal due to questions inconsequential to their love life and the fact it did not take reciprocal interest in sexual behavior into question (i.e. those looking for “same parts” matched with those looking for partners with “different parts”). However, the sheet for many proved to be a nice conversation piece, and a new pick up line.

171 dolls were placed on the steps of Dartmouth Hall on February 28th, by the anonymous ‘Daughters of Dartmouth.’ Each of the figures represented a unique story of sexual assault revealed to the less than two-dozen upperclassmen. Go to wakeupdartmouth.blogspot.com to read more about the group.

Looking foward, we have “Promise and Perils of the Hook-Up Culture” a talk by Lisa Wade, PhD, on Thursday, March 29th, in Rocky 2. In her own words: “I show that the problem on college campuses isn’t too much sex, it’s bad sex: unpleasurable, unwanted, unempowering, and antagonistic. The solution? Not to abandon the casual hook-up (it has some interesting advantages), but to multiply the sexual discourses on campus in ways that give students the cognitive freedom and cultural support to make the sexual choices that are best for each of them.”

Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania created a stir by stocking Plan-B in its health services vending machines for $25 (the university makes no profit on the sales). On our own campus, Plan B is available as a back up to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraceptive fails. It can be found over the counter at the pharmacy at Dick’s House or from the nurse, available 24 hours in the inpatient department. It is also available at CVS ($45) or through Planned Parenthood (call 603-298-7766 to discuss their sliding scale option of payments).

President Obama ceded to the Council of Catholic Bishops’ demand for exemption of Catholic hospitals and universities from the requirement these employers must provide prescription coverage for contraceptives if receiving federal funds. However, the Senate voted March 1st to kill the Republican effort to allow businesses and health companies to deny coverage for contraceptives and other items on moral grounds. [NYTimes]

Rush Limbaugh apologized for calling Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University Law student who spoke out in favor of the Obama administration’s birth control policy, a “prostitute” who was “having so much sex, it’s amazing she can still walk.” President Obama also reached out to Fluke, calling her to thank her for her support. Sometimes I wonder what Limbaugh would say if he saw the Hump-Day Gazette… [NYTimes]

– WHAT HAPPENED TO CREATING JOBS? On February 18, the House decided to bar federal funding for Title X, which provides $317 million to family planning services, most prominently Planned Parenthood. While this issue will likely stall in the Senate, we would like to lay out a few crucial issues on this action, and possible repercussions.

What and who this affects:

The money that would no longer be given would have gone towards cervical and breast cancer screenings, STI testing, contraception, and sex education.

More than 5,000,000 people’s reproductive healthcare and education are provided by Planned Parenthood

75% of these clients have incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level

What this doesn’t affect (but has dominated the conversation):

Abortions performed by Planned Parenthood account for less than 5% of all patient services

It also doesn’t affect NASCAR, whose $7 million dollar per year scholarship will continue to be funded by the national government, as the same day.

– HETEROSEXUAL GUILT? Sociologist Beth Eck did a study on gendered reaction to nude images and discovered female, sensual, nudes resulted in primarily discomfort and feelings of inadequacy from women and judgments as to the model’s attractiveness from men. Meanwhile, both men and women, when presented with male nudes were uncomfortable, with many men asserting their heterosexuality, and the minority of women who felt lustful, saying the feelings was mixed with feelings of shame or guilt. [Sociological Images]

– IT’S LIKE A SEX-POSITIVE OFF CAMPUS UGA: On a lighter note, for anyone taking an off term in NYC, there is now a free iPhone app that allows you to find five places near you that will provide free condoms! [The Daily News]

Ke$ha talked about her own experiences learning about sex, saying she “knew everything about sex” before she was seven years old. The pop star explained, “My mom left me at home when I was 14 with a credit card, and a box of condoms and the keys to the car and said, ‘Don’t get pregnant and don’t drink and drive’.” [Huffington Post]

A University of Indiana study of 2,453 biological females revealed that participants experienced greater sexual pleasure and satisfaction when using a water or silicone based lube while having vaginal or anal sex and masturbating. Additionally, chances of vaginal or anal tearing were significantly reduced. Reasons the women reported using lubrication were approximately 22% to reduce the risk of tearing and 22% to increase pleasure/comfort. [Indiana University]

A study of 434 young heterosexual couples ages 18-25 found that, in 40 percent of couples, only one partner says the couple agreed to be sexually exclusive. The other partner said there was no agreement. Open and honest communication you guys! [Science Daily]

SAY IT’S FOR STUDYING ANATOMY: The first drive through “one stop romance shop”, called Pleasures and selling sex toys, lubes, and other sexual stimulants, has been founded in Huntsville, Alabama. However, due to the ban on the sale of sex toys in the state, all buyers have to fill out paperwork to prove “bona fide medical, scientific, educational, legislative, judicial or law enforcement purpose.” [Al.com]

CHEATING CAN BREAK YOUR HEART: An Italian study revealed that men who were faithful to their partners and had active sex lives had fewer heart problems and lived longer. Possible explanations include decreased stress from infidelity and positive effects of increased testosterone. [The Telegraph]

STILL BETTER THAN SADDLEBACKING: Research may indicate that HPV is responsible for a rising number of head and neck cancer in men. This type of cancer has formerly been attributed to heavy drinking and smoking, but the rise may be due to changing sexual norms, especially increased unprotected oral sex. The Gardasil vaccine protects against four strains of HPV and is available at Dick’s House for both men and women. [ABC News]

Putting the 40 year old virgin to shame, Isabella Blyth (pictured above) turned 106 this September without ever being kissed. She says she never had the time or need for a man, keeping busy with her job, church, golf, gardening, and “the odd sherry.” [Scotsman News]

A 2010 Duke graduate’s impressively thorough “senior thesis” dedicated to ranking the varsity athletes she had sex with was leaked and immediately spread around Duke campus inboxes and the internet. The graduate deleted all of her social network profiles, and may be dealing with privacy lawsuits in the future, a situation sweetened by rumors of offers for a book deal. [Jezebel.com]

STD’s have doubled in people older than 45 in the UK. Possible reason? Most sexual health and education is aimed at younger people commonly thought to be more at risk. [Daily Mail]